తగిలిన కాలికే తగులును, నొగిలిన కొంపే నొగులును.
tagilina kalike tagulunu, nogilina kompe nogulunu.
The toe that is already stubbed gets stubbed again; the house that is already suffering suffers more.
This proverb describes how misfortunes often pile up on those who are already struggling. It is used to convey that troubles tend to haunt the same person repeatedly, similar to the English expression 'When it rains, it pours.'
Related Phrases
తగిలిన వేలికే మళ్ళీ తగులుతుంది.
tagilina velike malli tagulutundi.
The toe that is already injured is the one that gets hit again.
This proverb is used to describe a streak of bad luck or a situation where troubles seem to accumulate for someone who is already suffering. It is similar to the English expression 'When it rains, it pours.'
ఇనుముకు తగిలిన పీడ ఇంగలానికి తగిలింది
inumuku tagilina pida ingalaniki tagilindi
The trouble that befell the iron has now befallen the charcoal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an innocent associate or a bystander suffers the same harsh punishment or hardship as the main culprit. Just as charcoal is burnt and exhausted while heating iron in a forge, an innocent person often gets caught up and destroyed in the process of dealing with a problematic person or situation.
గాలికిపోయిన కంపను కాలికి తగిలించుకొన్నట్లు
galikipoyina kampanu kaliki tagilinchukonnatlu
Like hooking a thorn bush blowing in the wind to one's own leg.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unnecessarily gets involved in a problem that has nothing to do with them, thereby creating trouble for themselves. It is similar to the English idiom 'to look for trouble'.
గాలికి పోయే కంపను కాలికి తగిలించుకున్నట్లు
galiki poye kampanu kaliki tagilinchukunnatlu
Like catching a flying thorn bush with one's own foot.
This expression is used when someone unnecessarily involves themselves in a problem that has nothing to do with them, resulting in self-inflicted trouble. It describes a situation where an individual invites a nuisance or a complication into their life that could have easily been avoided.
వెట్టివాని చేతిరాయి తగిలెనా తగులును, తప్పినా తప్పను
vettivani chetirayi tagilena tagulunu, tappina tappanu
A stone thrown by an unskilled laborer might hit the target or it might miss it entirely.
This proverb is used to describe actions or outcomes that are completely dependent on luck or chance rather than skill or planning. It implies that when someone incompetent or careless does something, there is no guarantee of the result; it is purely accidental if it works out.
కుండ వెళ్లి బిందెకు తగిలినా, బిందె వచ్చి కుండకు తగిలినా కుండకే నష్టం
kunda velli bindeku tagilina, binde vachchi kundaku tagilina kundake nashtam
Whether the clay pot goes and hits the brass pot, or the brass pot comes and hits the clay pot, it is the clay pot that gets damaged.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a weak or vulnerable person is always the one who suffers in a conflict with a powerful person, regardless of who started the fight or how it occurred. It emphasizes that in an unequal power dynamic, the consequences are always borne by the weaker party.
వెదకబోయిన తీగ కాలికి తగిలినట్లు
vedakaboyina tiga kaliki tagilinatlu
Like the vine you were searching for entangling your own foot.
This expression is used when you are searching for someone or something, and unexpectedly, that person or thing appears before you or crosses your path without any effort. It signifies a stroke of luck where a solution presents itself just when you were about to start looking for it.
ఓడ పగిలినా కళాసులకి ఏమిటి భయం?
oda pagilina kalasulaki emiti bhayam?
Like the crew of a wrecked ship. In a miserable plight. Said of something sudden and alarming.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where subordinates or employees are not worried about the loss or failure of a project or business because they don't have a personal stake or investment in it. They believe they can simply find work elsewhere, while only the owner suffers the loss. It highlights a lack of responsibility or ownership among workers.
కొంగు తగిలినా కొంత మేలే
kongu tagilina konta mele
Even the touch of the corner of a garment is somewhat beneficial.
This expression is used to describe a situation where even a small or indirect association with a great, powerful, or lucky person brings some benefit or positive influence. It emphasizes that even the slightest contact with greatness is better than nothing at all.
తగిలిన కాలే తగులుతుంది.
tagilina kale tagulutundi.
A wounded foot is always striking against something.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where misfortunes or problems seem to follow a person who is already in trouble. It is similar to the English expression 'misfortunes never come singly' or 'when it rains, it pours.' It highlights how vulnerable points are often the ones that suffer repeated setbacks.